He was a 1950 graduate of Olmstead High School in Kentucky. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War. His rank was Seaman 3rd Class with destroyer service including U.S. Navy Fleet Action Pusan. He received the United Nations Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Services Medal and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.

He and Mary Kathleen O’Dell were married on Dec. 7, 1957, in Logan County, Kentucky. The family moved to Russellville in 1964.

Joe believed in hard work and had several different careers. He was the plant manager at Rockwell International (now POM) from 1964 until 1976. He was the sales manager at Harold Motor Company and was co-developer of University Estates subdivision in Russellville. In the early 80s he became the human resources manager at Laddish and retired as the plant manager in 1988. Finally, he worked in sales for Dalton King Packaging in Russellville. In 2009, Joe co-founded The Beach Shack in Russellville with his son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Christi Williams.

He served on the Russellville Chamber of Commerce board of directors, was a lifetime member of the Red Coats, served as president of the Chamber in 1976 and was a member of The Russellville Lions Club. He was a charter member and past president of the Bay Ridge Boat and Golf Club.

Joe also believed in service to his community. Joe served for 5 years on the City Corp. board of directors during a time of expansion of water resources in the Arkansas River Valley. He also served for many years on the board of the Marva Sheltered Workshop in Russellville and was involved in building of the current facility. He was a member and past president of PWI (Project With Industry), a part of the Arkansas Rehabilitation Center in Hot Springs. He was an active supporter of ATU.

Joe thoroughly enjoyed fishing with many friends including “Doc” Irwin, golfing with friends and family and spending his time and money on his grandchildren.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church and was preceded in death by his parents and by his wife.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, April 6, 2012, at The Journey. The Rev. Jim Huddleston will officiate. Full military honors will be provided by Rogers-Rye Post of the VFW. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today at The Journey, 3001 E. H St. in Russellville.